We have watched with admiration and respect as critical Oak Park-based nonprofits have grown in ambition and reach to take on challenges that, in this moment, seem to have metastasized in our derailed American society.
We’d point to Housing Forward, which has grown from mats on church basement floors to a full range of services that can lead to permanent housing for people. We have watched the Oak Park Regional Housing Center reclaim a historic but dilapidated Austin bank while adding affordable housing to it. The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has intentionally blown out of its bubble and now serves nonprofits across the West Side and into Cicero, Berwyn and Proviso Township.
There are many others. The Children’s Clinic, Thrive, Neighborhood Bridge and more.
Today though, we are covering the bold step being planned by Beyond Hunger as it seeks a modest special-use pact with the village, allowing it to purchase and renovate a long-vacant grocery space on North Avenue as its new facility. This is a 15,000-square-foot facility that has cycled through failed uses since Jewel abandoned it decades back.
The infusion of purpose and volunteer spirit into this location will only be a plus for this northeast Oak Park location.
Hats off to Beyond Hunger, which told the Journal this week it has already banked 87% of the funds it needs to purchase and renovate this building. Most of those funds have come from individual donors, which is another testament to the roots and grace-filled mission of this organization.
We’re confident the village’s zoning board, and then the village board will approve this project, and that neighbors will welcome it.